What is a grant?

A grant is an agreement with an outside agency, i.e., foundation, government agency, corporation, or other external source to provide funds for a specific project. 

What types of projects can grants support?

• projects that address unmet needs

• projects that supplement existing programs

• projects that explore new ideas

• projects to implement model programs

• projects that improve the quality of education

What types of projects cannot be supported through grants?

• projects without data to support the need

• projects that have previously been paid for with district funds

• projects that do not support district goals

• projects that have not been approved

Who is responsible for awarded funds?

• The School Board is responsible for all revenue received by the district.

• The Business Office is the fiscal agent for all revenue received by the district.   They safeguard, document, are responsible for, and are audited for all district revenue.

I found a grant opportunity I would like to apply for, what are the next steps?

• Complete the Grant Funding Request (GFR) form.

• Discuss the GFR form with your principal/supervisor.  If your principal/supervisor approves, have him/her date the GFR form and submit it to the district grant manager.

• The district grant manager will review the requirements of the grant and present the GFR and list of grant requirements at the District’s Executive Cabinet meeting. (District Executive Cabinet meetings are held each Monday.)

• If the District’s Executive Cabinet approves the GFR, a Request to Apply will be submitted for approval at the next School Board meeting.

• If the Request to Apply is approved by the School Board, the district grant manager will contact you and complete the application.

• Once the application is completed and is submitted, there is typically a 1 - 3 month wait to hear back on most grant approvals.

• If the grant application is approved, a Request to Receive Revenue is submitted to the School Board at the next board meeting.

• Once the School Board approves the Request to Receive Revenue, the district grant manager sends all documentation to the Business Office.

• The Business Office will then create budget codes for the grant.

• Once budget codes are created the Business Office notifies the district grant manager.

• The district grant manager then notifies the school principal/supervisor, school/department secretary, and applicant that they may begin submitting purchase orders.

What happens at the end of a grant?

• The Business Office finalizes all necessary fiscal reports.

• The district grant manager works with the grant applicant to create an End of the Grant Report.

• The district grant manager submits all documentation to the grant funding source.

Some General Tips:

• Begin early - securing grant funds takes time, typically 3 -4 months.

• Have data to support the need for your project.

• Make sure your project aligns with district goals.

• Be explicit and specific in defining the focus of the grant.

• Submitting a grant funding request does not guarantee that the grant will be approved or awarded.

  
  

Please complete the form below and have it approved by your building administrator or supervisor before submitting it to the Grant Manager.